Page 36 - INTERNATIONAL SOS PR REPORT DECEMBER 2023

12/14/23, 1:53 PM
https://uaenews247.com/2023/12/14/global-perma-crisis-set-to-drastically-impact-employee-wellbeing-in-2024/
Global Perma-Crisis Set to Drastically Impact Employee Wellbeing in 2024 | UAE News 24/7
Additionally, as the global weather and climate profile changes in
many regions, so does the health risk environment. Dr Irene Lai,
Global Medical Director, International SOS comments, “Many of
the extreme weather events we witnessed in 2023 may become
commonplace in the year ahead potentially driving climate anxiety
amongst a growing number of employees. Extreme heat in
Europe, for example, could become a regular occurrence with
potentially more named heatwaves, following the first – Cerberus –
this year.
“With rising temperatures comes the increased possibility of
disease spread, as the conditions are opportune for mosquito-
borne diseases. We have already seen this in some regions, with
the appearance of locally transmitted malaria in several U.S. states
after two decades. The changing transmission pattern of malaria in
the African highlands and the trends in vector-borne diseases in
Europe pose some significant new challenges for public health
officials. Therefore, it is crucial for organisations to have plans in
place to address the potential rise in novel medical risks.”
Global Instability Deepens
The second-highest security concern identified by respondents in
this year’s survey revolves around geopolitical tensions. As a
striking three out of four respondents expressed the belief that
their organisations will face significant impacts in the coming year.
Notably, the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza, as well as the
persistent conflict in Ukraine, contribute to this unstable global
environment. Civil and social unrest, coupled with political
instability, rank as the next largest worries for organisations. The
unpredictable nature of these events highlights the need for
businesses to adopt robust security measures, proactively
navigating the challenges arising from the dynamic global
geopolitical landscape.
AI – Risks and Opportunities
AI has inspiring potential to create a new industrial revolution.
However, for now, it further complicates the vital task of sorting
reliable information from misinformation and deliberate
disinformation for businesses. More than two out of five
respondents of the Risk Outlook research said they were worried
about the effect of medical misinformation and disinformation on
their workforces. This rises to three in five when asked about
inaccurate political information – a potentially difficult situation as
the United States heads into a highly consequential election year.
The New Employment Contract
Three-quarters of surveyed organisations report increased
employee expectations for Duty of Care. A similar number are now
also shouldering duties previously seen as government
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